Synthetic Tissue Phantoms

Few trends within the healthcare industry are more predictable than increasing surgical complexity matched by decreasing invasiveness. The benefits are unmistakable, however practical challenges remain regarding how best to train the surgeons and doctors of the future. Traditional methods of using cadaveric models are no match for modern education settings, limitations include limited life, ethical obligations, cost, repeatability, and difficulty in obtaining specimens. More importantly a cadaver's physiology is not always sufficiently similar and generating a reliable model for diseases is not easy.

The demand for tissue phantoms is clear; hydrogel models can match the desired tissue mechanical properties, and can be tailored to provide a specific function or response. By matching the general structure and water content of natural tissue, hydrogels have proven to be a superior alternative to commonly used rubbers and elastomers.

Specific Application for various models includes:

Constructs for testing cardiovascular tools

Skin substitutes for testing suturing and pull-out forces

Casts of major organs (IMAGE) for surgical training

Hydrogels with the correct permittivity and conductivity to match the electromagnetic properties of bone and soft tissues

Available Tube Sizes

The tubes can be cast in several sizes, as shown in the table below. Tube lengths can be as large as 12 inches, depending on the inner diameter. Custom sizes are also available contact us for more information.